For decades the two words "immigration reform" were sure to provoke knee-jerk opposition from Republicans in Congress and an inability or unwillingness by Democrats to make something happen. At long last, that deadlock may have been broken.

A bipartisan Senate proposal on this vexing issue could finally bring some relief to the 11 million people stuck in the limbo of illegal immigration - most of whom are hard-working taxpayers, it must be noted.

Those who are in this country without proper documentation would have a path toward citizenship. But it would not be a cakewalk, and it would give them no advantages over others who have patiently and legally tried to become Americans.

Many Republicans realize that continued inflexibility on this issue will doom their chances of attracting many votes from the country's growing Hispanic population. That change is welcome, and this historic opportunity must not be fumbled away.

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ANOTHER VIEW: Amnesty is huge mistake

Here we go again: Well-meaning members of Congress try to devise a humane way of dealing with millions of people who have crossed our borders illegally. Their compassion is commendable, but misplaced.

Proposals like this virtually guarantee that more and more people from other countries will continue to enter America any way they can. And why shouldn't they? It is clear that if they wait long enough, eventually another amnesty proposal will cover them and mock those who played by the rules.

This proposal, like previous amnesties, included stern promises to seal our borders once and for all so that a similar bill isn't needed in a decade or two. Who believes that?

The task is difficult enough as it is, and now there are even more incentives to take a chance at the citizenship lottery.

Our borders are about to become as flexible as our laws. That does not bode well for America's future.

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